Trellis unit for making of beams

ABSTRACT

A construction trellis unit for the formation and setting up of beams and the like in cement conglomerate, consists of a twosided reticular framework movable longitudinally or transversely to its axis by bearing rollers. A metal form with movable walls can be slid into the framework for effecting the castings of conglomerate. When completed, the castings are lowered directly upon bridge bearings by hoists movable upon the upper booms of the trellis and prior to the withdrawal of the movable form.

D United States Patent n113,579,759

[72] Inventor Giorgio Zuccolo 2,686,659 7/1954 Bittner 25/131.5X Via Arrigoni, Peraga di Vigonza, Padova, 2,968,082 1/ 1961 Schutze 25/2X Italy 3,003,219 10/1961 Suter 25/1X [2]] Appl. Nov 689,631 3,080,636 3/1963 Zerlaut..... 25/121X [22] Filed Dec. 11, 1967 3,217,375 11/1965 Kinnard 25/41.] 1 t n y 5, 1971 FOREIGN PATENTS Pmmy $2 1966 906,034 5/1945 France 25/121 3 1 5,631/ 6 Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-Ben D. Tobor Attorney-Richards & Geier [54] TRELLIS UNIT FOR MAKING OF BEAMS 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. Cl 25/13l.6,

249/50, 249/209 [51 it. A construction trellis unit for the formation and Fleld of Search i etting u of beams and the in cement conglomerate con- (J),4l.7,2, 1 (M), 121 (P), 121, 131.5 (A), 131.6, 131.5 (B); 249/50, 66, 209, 210,21 1,2, 13,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,536,377 1/1951 Lachaise 25/121 sists of a two-sided reticular framework movable longitudinally or transversely to its axis by bearing rollers. A metal form with movable walls can be slid into the framework for effecting the castings of conglomerate. When completed, the castings are lowered directly upon bridge bearings by hoists movable upon the upper booms of the trellis and prior to the withdrawal of the movable fomi.

PATENTEU MAYZSIQYI 3579 '7 58 saw a nr 4 him ill

INVENTOR.

GIORGIO ZUCCOLO PATENTEU rm2 lsvl 3579.759

' sum u or 4 A v 3 2 e 25 WW U GIORGIO ZUCCOLO TRELLIS UNIT FOR MAKING OF BEAMS This invention relates to a trellis unit for the making of beams and refers more particularly to a construction trellis unit for the formation and setting up of beams and the like in cement conglomerate.

Modern practice of constructing road and canal bridges, tubular bridges for aqueducts, piers, industrial structures with bands and the like involves the use of long bay elements which are usually prefabricated away from the site, then transported to the site and then launched by being lowered into position by means of devices of various types. Recently launching trellises have been used which cause the prefabricated element to be moved into proper position and then lowered upon the bridge bearings by hoists or similar devices. This makes it necessary to provide a robust construction of the trellis and powerful means for transporting a heavy workload.

An object of the present invention is to improve prior-art constructions Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the accomplishment of the objectives of the present invention it was found desirable to provide a construction trellis unit into which an openable form can run, the form being carried into position by moving on trailing wheels. Then the casting can be done prior to the introduction of the metal reinforcement.

When the concrete has set, the form is opened, the element is lifted, the form is slid out from below and the element thus formed is lowered upon bridge bearings by automatic hoists running on the upper beams of the trellis unit.

The trellis unit of the present invention has a two-sided reticular framework with upper windbraces; it can move in the direction of its axis and transversely thereto by means of rollers provided with hydraulic jacks which can also operate on inclined surfaces, These rollers are rotatably mounted on vertical pins so that they permit angular displacements on a horizontal plane during the transfer. Automatic traveling hoists provided with a casting bucket rest upon the upper beams of the frame.

In general the trellis unit of the present invention is provided with all means necessary for the complete casting of structures in cement conglomerate, including apparatus for steam treatment, devices for the stressing of precompression cables, etc., thus depending on external supply only as far as the adduction of metal reinforcement cages and concrete is concerned.

The trellis unit of the present invention is particularly suitable for the construction of beam bridges of the type having multiple beams supporting a flat platform. However, it can be also used for constructing canal bridges for navigable waterways, tubular bridges for aqueducts, industrial structures with multiple bands, piers, etc.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the invention idea.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the entire trellis unit of the present invention prior to the introduction of metal reinforcement into the form.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. I but shows the unit after the posi-- tioning of the form in relation to the span of the bay under construction.

FIG. 3 is a side view on a larger scale of the working bay of the trellis unit prior to the lowering of the beam.

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the trellis unit showing it immediately after the completion of the casting of the fonn.

FIG. is a similar cross section showing the trellis unit with the fonn open and the beam in place.

FIG. 6 is a similar cross section showing the trellis unit with the fonn open and the element raised.

FIG. 7 is a side view, partly in section, of the trellis unit with an automatic door-shaped crane.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a part of the trellis unit frame with the door-shaped crane and the hoists in place.

The trellis unit shown in the drawings includes a rectangular bridge frame 1 having lower supports 2 which rest on rollers 3. As shown in FIG. 8, the rollers 3 are carried by hydraulic jacks 4 so that they can be moved vertically. The jacks 4 are supported on carriages 5 (FIG. 7) carrying wheels 6 which are movable on runways 7 extending transversely to the axis of the trellis unit. Rollers 3 are connected with vertical pins provided with bearing discs 25 (FIG. 8), so that a rotation through any angle is possible, thereby permitting the trellis unit to be displaced angularly on a horizontal plane.

The rollers are hooked onto the lower boom of the trellis along the and small rollers are provided which enable the rollers 3 to move along the trellis itself.

An angular crane 9 and automatic traveling hoists I0 and 11 move upon the upper bearers 8 of the trellis unit. The crane 9 is provided with a winch 12 (FIG. 7) moving along a bridge beam I3. In the embodiment of the present invention the crane 9 is coupled with the hoist 10 (FIG. 8).

A form l4 is carried by wheels I5 and moves within the trellis frame 1 (FIG. I).

The wheels 15 may extend below the form 14 or may be located at the sides of the frame, as shown in FIG. 4. They can be mounted on axles carried by bearings in rubber.

The form 14 has movable inner walls 16 the movement of which is controlled by hydraulic jacks 17 located upon the sides of the walls 16. Small guiding trolleys are provided at the lower ends of the inner walls.

A metal reinforcement 18 (FIG. I) is introduced into the form along with suitable sliding devices by trolleys 19 which bring it to the construction trellis unit. Then casting can be effected inside the form by a bucket 20 (FIG. 2). The bucket 20 is carried by the crane 9 which transfers it from an initial position wherein the loading of theconglomerate from the mixer takes place, possibly with the use of a rotary conveyor carpet, to the location wherein the casting takes place.

Suitable devices well known in the art for the prestressing of the reinforcement cables can be located at the ends of the form 14 if prestressed castings are being constructed.

The casting can be covered by a plastic laminate 21 (FIG. 5) or the like and then jets of steam are introduced into the air gap which are supplied by a generator 22 along transmission lines 23 (FIG. 2). This follows a well known procedure to provide rapid saturation of the conglomerate.

When the casting is completed, with the walls of the form open, the casting is gripped by the hoists II FIG. 6) with the aid of gripping devices 24 and is lifted to enable the withdrawal of the form 14. The form 14 moves on wheels 15 and is returned to the initial part of the trellis frame I. The bay element is then lowered upon the bridge bearings, as illustrated by broken lines in F IG. 3.

The trellis unit of the present invention which can be displaced longitudinally or transversely to its own axis, makes it possible to provide for a successive formation of adjacent bay elements, as indicated in FIG. 7 and for a transfer of the trellis unit to the next bay.

Suitable changes in shape may be made to provide bay elements of different shapes and sections for canal bridges, tubular bridges, and the like. The crane 9 provided with the beam 13 carrying the automatic winch 12, makes it possible to lower various subsidiary elements, such as transverse pieces, concrete slab elements and the like, thus employing the trellis unit for the finishing of adjacent structural elements which using the saturation period of the castings which are inside the trellis.

The trellis unit may be also equipped with an attached platform which could be used for the preparation of the metal reinforcements and for the mixing of the concrete, thereby providing a truly complete transportable trellis unit.

It is apparent that further variations and modifications can be made in the described example without exceeding the scope of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

I claim:

l. A construction trellis unit, comprising a bridge frame having upper bearers and lower supports, rollers extending in the longitudinal direction of the frame, said supports resting upon said rollers, hydraulic jacks connected with said rollers, bearing discs connected with said rollers, carriages supporting said jacks and said discs, wheels carried by said carriages and extending transversely to the direction of said rollers, a crane movably mounted upon said upper bearers, at least one hoist coupled with said crane, a form, and wheels carried by said form and supporting it for movement within said bridge frame between said upper bearers and said lower supports.

2. A trellis unit in accordance wit claim 1, wherein said form comprises outer walls, movable inner walls and hydraulic jacks carried by said outer walls and connected with said inner walls for moving the inner walls.

3. A trellis unit in accordance with claim 1, comprising a reinforcement, trolleys connected with said reinforcement and movable within said bridge. frame for introducing said reinforcement into said form, a bucket carried by said crane for introducing a casting into said form, a laminate covering said form and means introducing jets of steam inside the form. 

1. A construction trellis unit, comprising a bridge frame having upper bearers and lower supports, rollers extending in the longitudinal direction of the frame, said supports resting upon said rollers, hydraulic jacks connected with said rollers, bearing discs connected with said rollers, carriages supporting said jacks and said discs, wheels carried by said carriages and extending transversely to the direction of said rollers, a crane movably mounted upon said upper bearers, at least one hoist coupled with said crane, a form, and wheels carried by said form and supporting it for movement within said bridge frame between said upper bearers and said lower supports.
 2. A trellis unit in accordance wit claim 1, wherein said form comprises outer walls, movable inner walls and hydraulic jacks carried by said outer walls and connected with said inner walls for moving the inner walls.
 3. A trellis unit in accordance with claim 1, comprising a reinforcement, trolleys connected with said reinforcement and movable within said bridge frame for introducing said reinforcement into said form, a bucket carried by said crane for introducing a casting into said form, a laminate covering said form and means introducing jets of steam inside the form. 